Bare stent ship and crimp device

ABSTRACT

A stent container has a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at the distal end. The first wall has an opening therethrough sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. The opening opens into a chamber which is reducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size. The chamber in the first enlarged size is sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therein. A plurality of bars extend from the first wall to the second wall. The bars are movable between a first position and a second position. The plurality of bars in the first position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the enlarged size. The plurality of bars in the second position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the reduced size. A stent disposed in the chamber may be reduced in size by reducing the chamber from the first enlarged size to the second reduced size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A stent is a generally tubular device that is used to support abodily lumen.

[0002] A stent is typically delivered to a desired bodily location via acatheter. In the case of a mechanically expandable stent such as aballoon expandable stent, the stent is disposed about the balloon andcrimped to the balloon to prevent undesired movement of the stentrelative to the balloon.

[0003] A number of techniques for crimping a stent to a balloon areused. One such technique that is commonly used in the radiological suiteinvolves hand crimping the stent to the balloon. A stent is placed overan uninflated balloon and then squeezed with the fingers until the stentis in intimate contact with the uninflated balloon. The technique ishighly operator dependent and can affect stent profile and stentplacement with respect to the balloon and radiopaque markers. It canalso affect the dilatation length of the stent and lead to pinching ofthe balloon.

[0004] Other techniques for crimping stents involve the use ofmechanical devices for crimping stents. Mechanical stent crimpers havebeen disclosed in a number of patents including U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,886,U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,273, U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,990, U.S. Pat. No.6,074,381, U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,102 and 5,992,000. Mechanical stentcrimpers have also been disclosed in a number of copending, commonlyassigned patent applications including U.S. application Ser. Nos.09/401467, 09/401213, 09/404986 and 09/401218.

[0005] Typically, mechanical stent crimping devices are either used tocrimp the stent to the catheter prior to shipping the stent or in theradiological suite. In the latter case, the radiologist selects a barestent with the desired properties and then mechanically crimps the stentto the desired balloon catheter.

[0006] There remains a need for novel stent crimping devices that arecapable of uniformly crimping a stent to a catheter and that may beemployed at the point of use of the stent. There is also a need forstent crimping devices that may double as a shipping container forprotecting the stent during shipping.

[0007] All U.S. patents and applications and all other publisheddocuments mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

[0008] The invention in various of its embodiment is summarized below.Additional details of the invention and/or additional embodiments of theinvention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Inventionbelow.

[0009] The abstract provided herewith is intended to comply with 37 CFR1.72 and is not intended be used in determining the scope of the claimedinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention is directed to a stent container comprising a firstwall at the proximal end of the container and a second wall at thedistal end of the container. An opening is provided through the firstwall. The opening, sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough,opens into a chamber. The chamber is reducible in size from a firstenlarged size to a second reduced size. In the first enlarged size, thechamber is sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therein. A pluralityof bars extending from the first wall to the second wall, in conjunctionwith the first and second walls, define the chamber. The bars aremovable between a first position and a second position. In the firstposition, the plurality of bars and the first and second walls definethe periphery of the chamber in the enlarged size. In the secondposition, the plurality of bars and the first and second walls definethe periphery of the chamber in the reduced size.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bars are movably received in the first andsecond walls. The first wall has a center and a plurality of slotsdisposed about the center. Each of the slots arcs toward the center withthe bars movably received in the slots. The second wall has a pluralityof radially disposed grooves therein, with the bars movably received inthe grooves. The first wall is optionally rotatable relative to thesecond wall to move the bars from the first position to the secondposition and vice versa. The first and second walls may also beconstructed such that the bars slide in a purely radially inwarddirection.

[0012] In another embodiment, the bars are flexible. The bars, disposedin the first and second walls and fixed to prevent radial movement, arecapable of being flexed between the first and second positions to reducea stent in size. The bars may optionally be rotatable.

[0013] The bars of the stent containers disclosed above are desirablyspaced apart such that the stent is visible between adjacent bars tofacilitate positioning the stent and any balloon to which the stent willbe crimped therein. The bars may also be made of a transparent ortranslucent material to facilitate positioning.

[0014] The container may optionally have an uncrimped stent therein. Theuncrimped stent may be reduced in size immediately upon insertion intothe container, after one to two hours, one to two weeks, one to twomonths, six months or longer or any other suitable period of time.

[0015] The inventive container is constructed and arranged such that thechamber in the second reduced size is smaller than the uncrimped stent.

[0016] The invention is also directed to containers such as thosedescribed above where the chamber comprises a stent which has beenreduced in size and optionally, crimped to a catheter.

[0017] The invention is also directed to a method of reducing a stent insize. In accordance with the method, a stent is provided in a container.The container has a first end wall and a second end wall and a pluralityof bars extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.The first and second end walls and plurality of bars define a chamber inwhich the stent is received. The bars are movable between a firstposition in which they do not contact the stent to a second position inwhich they contact the stent and provide an inward force to the stent.The bars are in the first position when the stent is placed in thecontainer. The bars may be moved from the first position to the secondposition thereby reducing the stent in size. Optionally, a medicalballoon may be disposed within the stent prior to moving the bars andthe stent crimped to the balloon. The stent may be reduced in sizeimmediately upon insertion into the container or after a period of timesuch as at least one day, week, month, a half year or even years.

[0018] The invention is also directed to a method of reducing a stent insize using a coil. In accordance with the invention, a coil is disposedabout a stent. The coil has a first end and a second end. The coil isreduced in diameter by moving at least one of the first and second endsof the coil relative to the other end so that the coil contacts thestent and applies an inward force to the stent sufficient to reduce thestent in size. The coil may be made of a suitable material such as ametal or polymer. Further in accordance with the method, a medicalballoon catheter having a medical balloon portion may be provided. Thestent may be disposed about the balloon portion of the medical ballooncatheter prior to reduction of the stent in size. The coil may then beused to crimp the stent to the balloon.

[0019] In all embodiments of the invention where the stent is loadedonto a balloon, optionally a centering pin may be provided to guide thestent onto the balloon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a side view of an inventive stent container;

[0021]FIG. 2 shows an end view of an inventive stent container;

[0022]FIG. 3 shows an end view of an inventive stent container such asthat shown in FIG. 2 with the bars partially engaging a stent;

[0023]FIG. 4 shows an end view of an inventive stent container withspringloaded bars;

[0024]FIG. 5 shows an end view of another inventive stent container withspring-loaded bars;

[0025]FIG. 6 shows a side view of another inventive stent container;

[0026]FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of an inventive stent containerincluding a cap;

[0027]FIG. 8 shows an end view of an inventive stent container with anelastic membrane;

[0028]FIG. 9 shows an end wall of an inventive stent crimper with arcingslots;

[0029]FIG. 10 shows an inventive stent container with a cap therein;

[0030]FIG. 11 shows an inventive stent container with flexible bars;

[0031]FIG. 12 shows a front end view of the inventive stent container ofFIG. 11;

[0032]FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of an inventive stentcrimper with some of the bars flexed; and

[0033]FIG. 14 shows another inventive stent container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] While this invention may be embodied in many different forms,there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments ofthe invention. This description is an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated.

[0035] For the purposes of this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated,like reference numerals in the figures refer to the same component. Alsofor the purposes of this disclosure, the term ‘stent’ shall refer tostents, grafts and stent-grafts. Finally, for the purposes of thisdisclosure, any references made to reducing a stent in size refer to areduction in the transverse cross-section of the flowpath through thestent.

[0036] The instant invention, in one or more of its embodiments, isdirected to devices which may be used to reduce stents in size and/or tostore and ship stents. The devices may be used to reduce stents in sizeprior as a precursor to crimping the stent or as part of crimping thestent. The devices may also be used to reduce stents in size even wherethe stent is not subject to crimping. In certain embodiments, the devicemay serve as a container for storing and/or shipping the stent.

[0037] The invention is directed, in one embodiment to a device whichmay be used for crimping a stent and/or shipping a stent. As showngenerally at 100 in FIG. 1, the device has a proximal end 102 and adistal end 104. First end wall 106 is located at the proximal end of thecontainer and second end wall 108 is located at the distal end of thecontainer. At least first end wall 106 has an opening 107 therein forreceiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. A plurality of movable bars110 extend from first wall 106 to second wall 108. The plurality ofmovable bars 110 define passage 112 therein sized for receivinguncrimped stent 114 therein. Opening 107 opens into passage 112.

[0038] First end wall 106 includes grooves or slots in which movablebars 110 are movably received. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, slots 130 maybe radially disposed between adjacent spokes 132. Slots 130 taper inwardas shown in FIG. 2. Spokes 132 may be made of a resiliently deform ablematerial such as a polymeric material. An example of a suitable materialis rubber. Absent any inward force applied to bars 110, bars 110 restagainst spokes 132 and do not protrude into passage 112. With theapplication of force, spokes 132 may be deformed by bars 110 such thatbars 110 protrude into passage 112 and apply a crimping force to a stentdisposed therein, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the stent intransverse cross-section. The end wall of FIGS. 2 and 3 have three slotsand three spokes and may accommodate three bars 110. The end wall mayhave additional or fewer slots and spokes. An end wall corresponding tothat of FIG. 1 has eight slots and spokes and accommodates eight bars.The inventive device may have as few as a single slot or may have anynumber of slots between two and twenty or more.

[0039] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, end wall 106may optionally be provided with springs 134 or other coupling devices incommunication with bars 110 to prevent bars 110 from contacting thestent until sufficient force is applied to the bars. Slots 130 as shownin FIG. 5 are of a constant width. Springs may be used in any of theother embodiments as well.

[0040] Other coupling devices such as a strip of stretchable material,for example rubber or other polymeric material, may also be used toprevent the bars from contacting the stent until sufficient force hasbeen applied thereto in any of the embodiments disclosed hereinemploying bars.

[0041] Second end wall 108 may be of identical construction to first endwall 106 or may be of different construction. As an example of thelatter, second end wall 108 may be closed so that no opening is providedtherein for the stent.

[0042] First end wall 106 and second end wall 108 may be made of anysuitable material including metal and polymeric materials. The first andsecond walls may be of solid construction or may have a plurality ofopenings therein shaped to receive movable bars 110 therein.

[0043] Movable bars 110 may be made of any material including metalssuch as stainless steel, where suitable, and polymeric materials.Desirably, the movable bars will be made of a smooth material. Moredesirably, the movable bars will be made of a lubricous material such aspolytetrafluoroethylene.

[0044] Moveable bars may have a rectangular cross-section or moregenerally a polygonal cross-section or a curvilinear cross-section.Desirably, the cross-section will be circular.

[0045] The device may be provided in an embodiment in which the bars donot rotate about the stent.

[0046] The device may also be provided in an embodiment in which thebars may rotate about the stent. Such an embodiment is shown generallyat 100 in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, centering pin 116 extendsfrom base 135, through an opening in second end wall 108 and intopassage 112. Centering pin 116 maybe used to immobilize the stent orstent and catheter. Second end wall 108 is rotatably coupled to base 135so that second end wall 108 and bars 110 may be rotated relative tocentering pin 116. Any suitable rotatable coupling may be used.Desirably, bars 110 will have a circular cross-section.

[0047] The inventive devices, in any of the above embodiments andembodiments below which employ bars, may further be provided with a cap136 to close opening 107 in first end wall 106 as shown in FIGS. 7 and10. A cap may also be provided to any close opening in the second sidewall. Any suitable design may be used. The cap is of particular use toretain the stent in the device where the device is used for storageand/or shipping of the stent. The cap may have small openingstherethrough to allow for the insertion of gas or evacuation of gas fromthe passage or chamber in which the stent resides.

[0048] The device may further be provided with an elastic membrane 138or otherwise deformable membrane disposed interior to the bars inpassage 112 as shown in FIG. 8. The membrane may be secured to the barsand/or end walls and disposed between the bars and the stent to preventdirect contact between the bars and the stent. Suitable materials forthe membrane include PTFE, rubber and SILASTIC®. Other polymericmaterials may also be used.

[0049] The inventive device may also be provided in an embodimentwherein at least one of the end walls, as shown in FIG. 9, is providedwith grooves or slots 130 that arc inward. The other end wall may beprovided with like slots or with radial slots. The device of FIG. 9 isoperable to reduce a stent in size by rotating the one or more end wallswith the arcuate slots causing the bars to be pushed inward.

[0050] In use, an uncrimped stent is received in passage 112 and shippedin container 100 which is closed by end cap 136 or any other suitableclosure device. Stent 114 may optionally be held in place by an end capsuch as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 which fits in opening 107 andwedges stent 114 in place or fits loosely into stent 114. The stent mayoptionally be held in place by centering pin 116. The device may also bedesigned to be only slightly longer than the stent housed therein, tohouse the stent with little movement of the stent.

[0051] As discussed below, the stent optionally may be sterilized withinthe device.

[0052] The device may be used to prereduce a stent in size or to crimp astent to a delivery catheter. In the former case, at the point of use,bars 110 may be pressed inward to apply a crimping force to the stent.In those embodiments where the bars are rotatable relative to the stent,the bars may be rotated about the periphery of the stent.

[0053] In the latter case, the cap, if present is removed and a catheterinserted in the device, interior to the stent. The stent may then becrimped by applying a force to the bars and, where applicable, rotatingthe bars about the stent. Typically, the stent will be crimped to acatheter balloon and catheter.

[0054] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a deviceshown generally at 100 in FIG. 11. Stent container 100 has a proximalend 102 and a distal end 104. First end wall 106 is located at theproximal end of the container and second end wall 108 is located at thedistal end of the container. At least first end wall 106 has an opening107 therein for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. A pluralityof flexible bars 110 extend from first wall 106 to second wall 108. Sixsuch bars are shown in FIG. 11. The invention also contemplatesembodiments in which additional or fewer bars are present. The pluralityof flexible bars 110 define passage 112 therein sized for receiving anuncrimped stent (not shown) therein. Opening 107 opens into passage 112.Centering pin 116 is disposed in passage 112 and may optionally extendout opening 107. In use, the stent and optionally a catheter tube,typically the inner tube of a catheter are disposed about centering pin116.

[0055] First end wall 106 and second end wall 108 may be made of anysuitable material including metal and polymeric materials. The first andsecond walls may be of solid construction or may have a plurality ofopenings therein shaped to receive flexible bars 110 therein. In eithercase, flexible bars 110 may be adhesively secured, laser welded orotherwise welded, or otherwise secured to the first and second endwalls.

[0056] Flexible bars 110 may be made of any material which may be flexedincluding metals such as stainless steel and polymeric materials.Desirably, the flexible bars will be made of a smooth material which maybe easily flexed by hand. More desirably, the flexible bars will be madeof a lubricous material such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0057] Device 100 may further comprise one, and desirably, a pluralityof support bars 121 to maintain the integrity of the device. Supportbars 121 may be made of any rigid material whether metal, polymeric orotherwise. Support bars 121 desirably are constructed and arranged sothat they provide extra support during shipping and handling and maythen be broken away or otherwise removed before or during reduction ofthe stent in size. For example, support bars 121 may be slidably removedfrom device 100 at the point of use. Support bars 121 may also beattached to device 100 via a frangible adhesive. The bond betweensupport bars 121 and device 100 may then be broken at the point of use.

[0058] Any of the inventive devices described above may be provided inan embodiment where each of the individual bars may also be rotatablymounted in the end walls so that each bar rotates about its longitudinalaxis even as the collection of bars rotates about the stent. Thus, forexample, when applying a stent reduction force, each bar may be rotatedabout its longitudinal axis so that the bars are in rolling contact withthe stent.

[0059] Any of the inventive devices disclosed above may be constructedsuch that the stent and the portion of any balloon catheter within thecontainer are visible from outside the container. This may beaccomplished by leaving gaps between bars and/or by providing bars oftranslucent or transparent material. Because of the visibility affordedthe user, the stent may be aligned with the balloon or any radiopaquemarkers disposed on the catheter.

[0060] In use, an uncrimped stent is received in passage 112 of thecontainer of FIG. 11 and, optionally, stored and shipped in container100. Stent 114 may be held in place by an end cap, such as that shownfor example in FIGS. 7 and 10 which fits in opening 107 and wedges thestent in place. The container may also be designed to be only slightlylonger than the stent housed therein, to house the stent with littlemovement of the stent. Centering pin 116 may be provided in stent 114 tocenter the stent and optionally support the stent in the container.

[0061] When it is desired to reduce the stent in size, bars 110 may beflexed inward, as shown in FIG. 13 until they contact stent 114 andapply a inward force to the stent, thereby reducing it in size.

[0062] To crimp the stent to a suitable balloon catheter, the containermay be opened where necessary and the balloon portion of a ballooncatheter inserted therein. Stent 114 is aligned on the balloon andcrimped thereto by flexing bars 110 inward, as shown in FIG. 13 untilthey contact stent 114 and apply a inward crimping force to the stent.

[0063] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method ofreducing a stent in size using a coil and to inventive devices foraccomplishing the same. A device for storing a stent and reducing astent in size is shown generally at 200 in FIG. 14. Device 200 comprisesa first wall 106 and a second wall 108 joined to the first wall via oneor more connectors 121 extending between the walls. Any suitableconnectors may be used including rods and/or bars and/or sheets ofmaterial extending from the first wall to the second wall. Desirably,the one or more connectors form an enclosed and optionally sterilizablehousing. To that end, the one or more connectors may comprise atransparent or semi-transparent material or may include a window tofacilitate positioning a balloon relative to the stent. Suitablesterilizable materials are discussed below.

[0064] Device 200 further comprises a coil 210 in which a stent may bedisposed. First end 212 of coil 210 extends from first wall 106 atproximal end 102 of device 200. First wall 106 includes an opening 107for receiving a stent therethrough. Opening 107 extends into stentreceiving chamber 112. Second end 214 of coil 210 extends from secondwall 108 at distal end 104 of device 200. Optional centering pin 116extends from second wall 108 of device 200 and may be used to facilitatepositioning the balloon catheter within the coil. At least one of firstwall 106 and second wall 108 is movable relative to the other. Uponmoving one of walls 106 and 108 away from the other wall, the diameterof the coil is reduced and coil 210 may apply sufficient force to astent disposed in chamber 112 to reduce the stent in size.

[0065] In accordance with the inventive method, as shown in FIG. 14,stent 114 is disposed within coil 210 of device 200. Balloon portion 140of medical balloon catheter 138 is disposed within coil 210. Optionalcentering pin 116 extending from distal end wall 108 of device 200 maybe used to facilitate positioning the balloon catheter within the coil.At least one of first end 212 and second end 214 of coil 210 is movedrelative to the other thereby reducing the coil in diameter. As the endsare moved relatively further apart, the coil contacts the stent andreduces it in size, crimping the stent to the balloon. In one embodimentof the invention, one of the two ends is fixed in place and the other ofthe two ends is moved relative to the end which is fixed in place. Inanother embodiment, both ends are pulled apart. The inventive method mayalso be practiced in the absence of a balloon catheter for reducing astent in size.

[0066] Coil 210 may be provided at one or both ends with a suitablegripping device to facilitate holding the ends of the coil and pullingthe coil by hand. One or both ends may also be provided with amechanical device capable of providing a mechanical advantage such as ascrew to apply a constant force to one or both ends of the coil.

[0067] Coil 210 may be made of any suitable resilient material includingmetals and polymeric materials. Desirably, the coil is made of amaterial such as spring metal.

[0068] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stentcontainer in which a braided stent such as a Wallstents® available fromBoston Scientific Corporation and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,275U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,000, a finger prison or a tube which is reducible insize such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,000 is used to reducea stent in size. The device may be mounted in a housing similar to thatshown in FIG. 14, with a braided stent, finger prison or reducible tubemounted at one end to first wall 106 and at the other end to second wall108. A stent may be reduced in size by moving at least one of the firstand second walls away from the other wall.

[0069] The above described inventive devices may further be providedwith an elastic membrane or otherwise deformable membrane inside thecoil, Wallstent, finger prison or tube. Additional details of theelastic membrane are discussed above.

[0070] The inventive devices as disclosed herein may be constructed tobe sterilizable prior to or once the stent is stored therein. In suchcase, it is desirable that the material from which the device isconstructed be resistant to gamma radiation so that the device contentsmay be sterilized with gamma radiation. Suitable materials includetreated polycarbonates such as Lexan™, Cycolac™, Valox™, Noryl™ andUltem™. The exact choice of materials will depend on how the device isto be sterilized.

[0071] The invention contemplates reducing stents in size immediatelyafter having been placed in any of the inventive devices disclosedherein and reducing stents in size that have been residing in theinventive device for periods of time ranging from one to two hours, tosix months or more. A stent may be placed in any of the inventivedevices and stored and/or shipped therein and then crimped or reduced insize after a week, a months, two month, half a year or longer, desirablyat the point of use.

[0072] The invention is directed to methods of using the inventivedisclosed herein wherein the devices are used to store the stents forperiods of time ranging from one to two days, one to two weeks, one totwo months and up to six months or longer.

[0073] The invention is also directed to any of the inventive devicesdisclosed above further comprising a stent which has been stored thereinfor a period of at least one to two days, one to two weeks, one to twomonths and as long as six months, a year or more.

[0074] In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, theinvention is also directed to other embodiments having the features ofthe independent claims and any other possible combination of thedependent features claimed below.

[0075] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and notexhaustive. The description will suggest many variations andalternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All thesealternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scopeof the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize otherequivalents to the specific embodiments described herein whichequivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

1. A stent container having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at the distal end,the first wall having an opening therethrough sized for receiving anuncrimped stent therethrough and opening into a chamber, the chamberreducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size,the chamber in the first enlarged size sized for receiving an uncrimpedstent therein; a plurality of bars extending from the first wall to thesecond wall, the bars movable between a first position and a secondposition, the plurality of bars in the first position and the first andsecond walls defining the periphery of the chamber in the enlarged size,the plurality of bars in the second position and the first and secondwalls defining the periphery of the chamber in the reduced size.
 2. Thestent container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of bars is movablyreceived in the first and second walls.
 3. The stent container of claim2 comprising an uncrimped stent therein.
 4. The stent container of claim3 wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in the container for at leastone week.
 5. The stent container of claim 3 wherein the uncrimped stenthas resided in the container for at least one month.
 6. The stentcontainer of claim 3 wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in thecontainer for at least one half year.
 7. The stent container of claim 3wherein the chamber in the second reduced size is smaller than theuncrimped stent.
 8. The stent container of claim 2 wherein the chamberis in the second reduced size.
 9. The stent container of claim 8 whereinthe chamber comprises a stent which has been reduced in size.
 10. Thestent container of claim 2 wherein the first wall has a center and aplurality of slots disposed about the center, each of the slots arcingtoward the center, the bars movably received in the slots.
 11. The stentcontainer of claim 10 wherein the second wall has a plurality ofradially disposed grooves therein, the bars movably received in thegrooves.
 12. The stent container of claim 11 further comprising acentering pin therein.
 13. The stent container of claim 11 wherein thefirst wall is rotatable relative to the second wall.
 14. The stentcontainer of claim 1 wherein the bars are flexible and are movablebetween the first and second positions by flexing.
 15. The stentcontainer of claim 14 comprising an uncrimped stent therein.
 16. Thestent container of claim 15 wherein the uncrimped stent has resided inthe container for at least one week.
 17. The stent container of claim 15wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in the container for at leastone month.
 18. The stent container of claim 15 wherein the uncrimpedstent has resided in the container for at least one half year.
 19. Thestent container of claim 15 wherein the chamber in the second reducedsize is smaller than the uncrimped stent.
 20. The stent container ofclaim 14 wherein the chamber is in the second reduced size.
 21. Thestent container of claim 20 wherein the chamber comprises a stent whichhas been reduced in size.
 22. The stent container of claim 14 whereinthe flexible bars are made of a smooth material.
 23. The stent containerof claim 22 wherein the material is stainless steel.
 24. The stentcontainer of claim 22 wherein the material is polytetrafluoroethylene.25. The stent container of claim 13 further comprising a centering pindisposed within the stent.
 26. The stent container of claim 1 whereinthe bars are spaced apart such that the stent is visible betweenadjacent bars.
 27. The stent container of claim 1 wherein the flexiblebars are made of a transparent or translucent material.
 28. The stentcontainer of claim 1 further comprising a balloon catheter, the ballooncatheter including a medical balloon, the medical balloon disposedwithin the stent.
 29. A method of reducing a stent in size comprisingthe steps of: providing a stent in a container, the container having afirst end wall and a second end wall and a plurality of bars extendingbetween the first end wall and the second end wall, the first and secondend walls and plurality of bars defining a chamber in which the stent isreceived, the bars movable between a first position in which they do notcontact the stent to a second position in which they contact the stentand provide an inward force to the stent, the bars in the firstposition; moving the bars from the first position to the second positionthereby reducing the stent in size.
 30. The method of claim 29 furthercomprising the step of disposing a medical balloon within the stentprior to moving the bars.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein a period oftime of at least one day elapses between the providing step and themoving step.
 32. The method of claim 29 wherein a period of time of atleast one week elapses between the providing step and the moving step.33. The method of claim 29 wherein a period of time of at least onemonth elapses between the providing step and the moving step.
 34. Themethod of claim 29 wherein a period of time of at least one-half yearelapses between the providing step and the moving step.
 35. The methodof claim 29 wherein the bars are moved from the first position to thesecond position by flexing the bars.
 36. The method of claim 29 whereinthe bars are moved from the first position to the second position bysliding the bars.
 37. A method of reducing a stent in size comprisingthe steps of: providing a stent; disposing a coil about the stent, thecoil having a first end and a second end; reducing the coil in diameterby moving at least one of the first and second ends of the coil relativeto the other end so that the coil contacts the stent and applies aninward force to the stent sufficient to reduce the stent in size. 38.The method of claim 37 wherein the coil is made of spring metal.
 39. Themethod of claim 37 wherein the coil is made of polymeric materials. 40.The method of claim 37 further comprising the steps of: providing amedical balloon catheter having a medical balloon portion; and disposingthe stent about the balloon portion of the medical balloon catheter;prior to the reducing step.